Rolling mounting for rail vehicles with current passage

Abstract

In order to allow current to pass a shaft bearing of a rail vehicle an additional rolling bearing is provided on the shaft and is electrically insulated relative to the shaft bearing. The inner ring of the additional rolling bearing is seated firmly on the shaft. A gap between the exterior of the outer ring of the additional bearing and the housing of the rolling mounting is provided with an insulating bush. The gap on insulating bush is bridged by an electrically insulated connector extending from outside the bearing housing and extending between the bearing housing and the outer ring of the additional rolling bearing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rolling mounting for a shaft for a rail vehicle wherein the mounting is adapted for transmitting electric current, the mounting comprising: a main rolling bearing on the shaft for transmitting vehicle load to the shaft;   a device axially next to the rolling bearing at the shaft for transmitting electric current from a housing around the rolling mounting to the shaft, the device comprising:   an additional rolling bearing also around the shaft, the additional rolling bearing being electrically insulated from the main rolling bearing axially next to it, the additional rolling bearing having an inner ring rotatable with the shaft, an outer ring outward of the inner ring and rolling elements at and between the races at the inner and outer rings; the outer ring having an exterior;   a housing around the mounting, the exterior of the outer ring, the outer ring is spaced from the housing around the rolling mounting;   at least one electric connector extending from an electrical connection outside the housing around the rolling mounting through the outer housing and being insulated from the housing and extending to the outer ring, whereby the electrical connector bridges the gap between the outer ring and the housing.   
     
     
       2. The rolling mounting of claim 1, wherein the additional rolling bearing is an inclined rolling bearing, the additional bearing having inclined races on the inner and the outer ring. 
     
     
       3. The rolling mounting of claim 2, further comprising an insulating bush in the gap between the exterior of the outer ring and the housing, and the electric connector extending through the insulating bush and bridging the bush. 
     
     
       4. The rolling mounting of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a cover at the side of the rolling mounting at the additional inclined rolling bearing, extending radially inward past the inclined rolling bearing. 
     
     
       5. The rolling mounting of claim 4, wherein the cover extends axially past the electrical connector and the electrical connector passes through the cover when passing through the housing. 
     
     
       6. The rolling mounting of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a cover at the side of the rolling mounting at the additional inclined rolling bearing, extending radially inward past the inclined rolling bearing; and wherein the cover extends axially past the electrical connector and the electrical connector passes through the cover when passing through the housing. 
     
     
       7. The rolling mounting of claim 2, wherein the main rolling bearing also includes an inner ring on the shaft, and outer ring attached to the housing and rolling elements between the inner and outer rings. 
     
     
       8. The rolling mounting of claim 2, wherein the additional inclined rolling bearing comprises a single row tapered roller bearing, the rolling element being a tapered roller. 
     
     
       9. The rolling mounting of claim 2, further comprising bearing lubricant in the region of the inclined rolling bearing, and the lubricant being electrically conductive. 
     
     
       10. The rolling mounting of claim 9, wherein the lubricant is at the races of the inclined rolling bearing and at the rolling elements thereof. 
     
     
       11. The rolling mounting of claim 10, wherein at least the races of the inclined rolling bearing comprise raceway surfaces that are coated with an electrically conductive metal. 
     
     
       12. The rolling mounting of claim 2, wherein at least the races of the inclined rolling bearing comprise raceway surfaces that are coated with an electrically conductive metal. 
     
     
       13. The rolling mounting of claim 12, wherein the conductive metal comprises nickel. 
     
     
       14. The rolling mounting of claim 13, wherein the conductive metal has a layer thickness on the raceways of approximately 10 μm. 
     
     
       15. The rolling mounting of claim 2, further comprising a spring axially loading the additional inclined roller bearing in the direction toward the main roller bearing.